havre de luxe.
Care Product Guidance
How to use each of our care products, and when to choose one application method over another. Open the section you need.
Our top tips
- Our formulas are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
- Two or three lighter applications always work better than one heavy one.
- Allow your accessories to dry for at least four hours before using them, or before applying anything further.
- Shake bottles well before use.
- Store all products away from direct sunlight, and use within eighteen months of receiving them.
- Always test on an inconspicuous area first, and allow it to dry naturally for at least four hours.
Refilling your bottles+
This short film shows how to refill your bottle using a refill pouch, so you can top up neatly, avoid spills, and keep your favourite formulas ready whenever your handbags need a little care.
Refilling a bottle using a refill pouch.
Replacing the lid if it comes off+
If the bottle lid is ever removed by accident, it clicks securely back into place. This film shows exactly how, so you can carry on using your products with confidence.
Clicking the bottle lid back into place.
Cleansing Wipes+
A quick refresh between deeper cleans. Cleansing Wipes lift everyday dust, light marks and grime from handbags, shoes and accessories in one step, with no water and no rinsing.
How to use
- Wipe gentlyWork over the surface with light, even strokes to lift dirt and grime. Let the wipe do the work rather than pressing hard.
- Buff if you wishA dry cloth afterwards brings back a little shine on smooth leathers.
- ProtectFollow with Water and Stain Guard, if suitable for the material, to keep the piece protected.
When to reach for a wipe
Ideal for everyday upkeep, travel, a quick tidy of handles and corners after wearing a bag, and light surface dust on coated canvas.
Use a cleanser instead when you are dealing with a mark that has settled in, a stain, or a bag that has not been cleaned in some time. Wipes maintain rather than restore.
Water & Stain Guard+
An invisible barrier that helps shield leather and fabric from water marks, everyday stains and colour transfer. There are two ways to apply it, and choosing the right one for your material makes a real difference to the finish.
Which method to use
Spray as a fine mist, directly onto the piece. Best for fabric, uncoated canvas, raffia and denim, where a cloth cannot reach evenly into the weave. Also the right choice for suede and nubuck, which should never be rubbed. Hold the bottle 20 to 30cm away, keep your hand moving, and build coverage in light passes rather than soaking one area.
Spray onto a cloth or Application Mitt, then wipe on. Best for every finished leather, smooth or grained, such as Lambskin, Caviar, Togo, Epsom and Clemence, for coated canvas such as LV Monogram and Damier, for small items, and for anywhere you want close control over where the product lands. It is also the safer option on a bag with a lot of hardware, or when working near linings, chains or trims.
How to apply
- Start clean and dryCleanse first if the piece needs it, and let it dry fully. Protecting over dirt seals the dirt in.
- Work in sectionsCover one panel at a time, overlapping each pass lightly so you do not leave gaps or heavy patches.
- Buff away any excessUse a clean, dry cloth. Absorbent surfaces such as fabric and canvas may need several light applications rather than one heavy one.
- Allow to dryLeave at least four hours before using the piece, and before any further application.
Avoid the hardware. We do not recommend applying to hardware. If any reaches it, wipe it off as you go rather than letting it dry there.
Vachetta needs its own approach. Please refer to the guide enclosed with your order, or read our dedicated guidance below. If you do not have the guide, contact us and we will send our specific instructions.
Antibacterial Cleanser+
A gentle, alcohol-free cleanse that lifts soiling and bacteria from leather and fabric without drying the surface.
Which method to use
Spray as a fine mist on fabric, coated canvas and interiors, holding the bottle 20 to 30cm away, then buff the excess with a clean, dry cloth.
Spray onto a cloth or Application Mitt for all leathers, including patent and exotics, and around hardware. This gives the most even finish on Lambskin, Caviar and similar.
How to apply
- Apply evenlyCover the area in light, even coverage rather than concentrating on one spot.
- Blot or wipeLift the soiling away with a clean cloth as you work, turning the cloth to a fresh side as it picks up dirt.
- Dry and protectAllow at least four hours to dry, then protect with Water and Stain Guard if the material is suitable.
Gentle Foam Cleanser+
A soft foaming cleanse for more considered work: settled marks, light staining, and delicate finishes that would not suit a spray. This is also the product to use on patent leather.
Which method to use
Soft cloth or Application Mitt on leather. Apply the foam to the cloth rather than the bag, and work in light circles.
Sponge, with a dabbing motion on fabric. Dabbing lifts the mark rather than spreading it outwards, which matters a great deal on woven surfaces.
Cloth or sponge with gentle pressure on patent leather, working evenly across the whole panel rather than only the marked area, so the finish stays consistent.
How to apply
- Apply the foam to your clothNot directly to the bag. This keeps the amount controlled and prevents over-wetting.
- Work gently and evenlyLight pressure, small movements. Force does not lift a mark faster and can disturb the finish.
- Lift the residueRemove any dirt residue with a dry, clean cloth, turning to a fresh side as it loads up.
- Repeat if neededMarks and stains often need several applications. Allow the piece to dry fully between each one, rather than reapplying to a damp surface.
On patent leather, keep a second clean cloth to hand to lift away dirt and excess cleanser as you go. Patent shows every smear, so working with a fresh cloth surface is what gives the clean finish.
Nourishing Conditioner+
Keeps leather supple and helps prevent it drying out, with a UV filter to slow the ageing that sunlight causes. Always condition after cleansing, never before.
Which method to use
Soft cloth or Application Mitt only. Conditioner is worked into the leather rather than laid on top of it, so it is always applied by hand, never sprayed.
How to apply
- Cleanse firstCondition after cleansing so you are not sealing dirt into the surface.
- Apply to the clothA small amount on a soft cloth or mitt, then wipe over the leather in gentle, even strokes.
- Buff thoroughlyWork it in and buff until no excess remains. Leftover conditioner sitting on the surface can attract dust.
- ProtectFollow with Water and Stain Guard if suitable for the material.
Conditioner is for leather only and should never be used on fabric, suede, microfibre or nubuck. For these, use the cleanser and Water and Stain Guard without the conditioner.
Wonder Balm+
A richer, more intensive conditioning treatment than our Nourishing Conditioner. Wonder Balm is the one to reach for when leather is dry or tired and needs bringing back. Give it time to work.
Which method to use
Soft cloth or Application Mitt only. As with any balm, it is worked into the leather by hand rather than sprayed.
How to apply
- Cleanse firstClean the leather with a suitable cleanser and allow it to dry fully.
- Apply evenlyWork the balm over the leather with a soft cloth, paying particular attention to any areas that need it.
- Leave it to penetrate for 30 to 60 minutesThis is the part that matters most. The balm needs real time to sink into the leather, so please do not rush it.
- Buff gentlyOnce it has penetrated, buff with a clean, dry cloth until no excess remains.
- Repeat if neededDepending on the condition of the leather, a second application may be worthwhile.
- ProtectFinish with Water and Stain Guard if suitable for the material.
Conditioner is for leather only and should never be used on fabric, suede, microfibre or nubuck. For these, use the cleanser and Water and Stain Guard without the conditioner.
Deodorising Spray+
Lifts trapped odours from linings, leather and shoes, rather than masking them.
Which method to use
Spray as a fine mist into linings and interiors, and into shoes. Hold the bottle 20 to 30cm away, further than for our other sprays, and keep your hand moving continuously.
Spray onto a cloth or Application Mitt for exterior leather, particularly delicate finishes. The mitt is gentle enough for even the most delicate leathers.
How to apply
- Apply evenlyEither wipe over the piece with a cloth, or mist from 20 to 30cm while moving your hand.
- Wipe off any excessUse a clean cloth to remove residue.
- For shoesSpray directly inside, or wipe with a clean cloth. If spraying inside, leave them overnight so the product dries thoroughly.
Leather Restore Pens+
For touching up colour loss, scuffs and worn edges. Leather Restore Pens build colour gradually, so patience gives a far better result than pressure.
How to apply
- Cleanse firstClean the leather with a suitable cleanser and allow it to dry fully.
- Activate the penTwist the rotating end until colour reaches the tip.
- Touch up lightlyApply to the damaged area with a light touch, then blend gently and evenly using either the pen tip or a clean cloth. Allow to dry.
- Build in coatsTwo or three coats are usually needed for a solid finish, particularly in lighter colours. Allow each coat to dry before the next.
- SealIf suitable, finish with Water and Stain Guard.
Results vary with leather finish, damage and colour. Colour can be removed straight away with a damp cloth or a Cleansing Wipe, so there is no harm in testing.
The pen may dry with a matte finish. This can be buffed with a dry cloth to increase shine, though it may not perfectly match very shiny leathers.
Please note+
Our care products are made from premium ingredients and are tested extensively. Even so, every accessory is individual, whether in age, condition or the environment it has lived in. That is why testing first matters. Results will vary, and we are not able to guarantee any particular outcome.
As above, we always recommend testing on an inconspicuous area before each use, and allowing it to dry for at least four hours.
Please keep all products away from children and animals, and avoid contact with eyes and mouth.
Your guidebooks cover care in more depth, including guidance by leather type. If you have a question about a particular handbag, or about which product is right for it, please get in touch and we will be glad to help.
